Pages

Monday, 3 June 2013

Delhi to get missile defence ring next year

The ballistic missile defence system (BMD), being developed by the DRDO will be deployed in Delhi by next year-end, according to Dr Avinash Chander, the new chief of DRDO and scientific adviser to the defence minister.Other major cities will get the defence system in phases, Dr Chander said.

He was speaking to this newspaper on his maiden visit to the city after taking over as DRDO chief. Dr Chander said the BMD?is a two-tier system consisting of two interceptor missiles for both high- and low- altitude interception. Dr Chander said the Light Combat Aircraft will go for initial operational clearance-2 by September 2013 and for final operational clearance by the end of the next year.

Speaking about forthcoming projects, Dr Chander said the indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System, with integration and completion of flight trials on three aircraft, will be ready for induction by next year. Induction of missiles developed with MBDA is on the cards and would be achieved within given deadlines, he said.

While the new defence procurement policy aims at promoting indigenisation while providing opportunity to Indian industry for participating in defence production, the DRDO’s aim is to reach for 75 per cent self reliance, he noted.